Rescued, ransomed, redeemed

I had the great privilege of being part of something this morning that truly lifted me right up close to the gates of heaven.  Not to be too dramatic, but I am certain that if we had all listened carefully we could have heard the angels rejoicing.  Our friends welcomed a young man into their house exactly one year ago out of the foster care system, and today was the day that he officially became their son.  I want to write a letter to them, and to brag on them a bit, I want to bring you all in. It makes me so proud to be their friend, and so thankful that we are part of the same family in Christ. I wish each one of you could know them - they are my heroes.  Here's to you, Jason and Amara:

Dear, dear friends,

I know I am known for my tendency to exaggerate, which I don't mind. However, now is when I hate having that reputation, because I think people write me off a bit - Oh that's just Jen and she's crazy.  So I want to say THIS IS NO EXAGGERATION. I will literally, as long as I live, and certainly into eternity, NEVER EVER EVER forget this morning.  I truly think it is the closest I have come to experiencing the heart of God, and I think it was my best preview of what heaven will be like.  And I just want to thank you from the depth of my soul for allowing me and my family to be a part of such a beautiful, intimate moment.

As you sat there in the courtroom, lined up in a little row with your family behind that railing, I was desperately trying to take as many as I could of what Sam's teacher last year called "mental pictures" (she was trying to discourage kids from bringing expensive phones and cameras on the field trip at the time - the Henrico County Court does more than just discourage them, so unfortunately my pictures had to be in my mind :-).  It's part of the reason I want to write about it here, so I can always remember just what it was like. Jason, you sat there on the left, with your sugary-so-sweet-I -could-literally-eat-you daughter on your lap.  To your right was your handsome, brave, I-so-want-to-squeeze-you-but-that-would-make-you-die-of-embarassment-since-you're-13 son, and then to his right was your gorgeous, beautiful, lovely, graceful wife, with her long curly locks hanging behind her and your little tiny mini-me baby in her arms.  You all looked so beautiful it was almost hard to watch, I almost felt like I should look away.  But I could NOT look away, especially as that sweet little girl of yours continued to pat her new now-official big brother on his back.  His broad shoulders in his handsome sport coat, the backdrop for her tiny hand repeatedly patting and rubbing him.  She couldn't possibly have understood what was happening, but somehow I think she did.  When he reached over with his hand and took her little hand in his, I admit that I did let out a little gasp (but immediately sensed from the 14 year old next to me that it needed to stop :-).

The judge entered, in his flowing black robe, and sat behind his big tall desk.  He spoke, but not in the voice I had expected, and definitely what he said was NOT what I had expected.  He welcomed us all warmly, he was so joyful that we were all there.  He spoke almost as a grandfather or uncle, someone who knew you and loved you and was so grateful that you were there.  I thought about this while he was speaking, and thought about the fact that he, more than most people in the room, knew EXACTLY what you were rescuing your son from, what could have happened to him had you not stepped in and brought him close, given him a family.  He invited folks to come up and share.  He gave you PRESENTS.  He spoke kindly, almost intimately, to each and every one of you, and particularly to this young boy.  He encouraged him, charged him, comforted him, challenged him.

When you and your wife and your boy spoke, I almost had to leave the room.  I felt like I couldn't even breathe, like my brain and heart just couldn't take it in, because what was happening was so amazing I just didn't know how to keep from sobbing very loudly and uncontrollably, which would probably cause my daughter to never speak to me again.  Your words of love and encouragement to him were breathtaking.  But his words were so beautiful I think they literally broke my heart.  To think what his life has been, to think of the heartache he has endured, and then to see him stand up there, so handsome and brave in his suit, taking his deep breaths and speaking slowly about what you mean to him and what your family has done for him - how is that even possible that anyone could do that? For him to talk about being new to being a Christian, about his belief in God, his love for you, and then to end that by diving into your arms in the best hug I have ever seen - just, thank you again for letting me have that in my heart to think on whenever I need a physical picture of love.  Ummmmm - even Clint cried - but don't tell him I told you.

I am sure that there were (and maybe still are?) people who think you are crazy for bringing him into your family, considering the full plate God had already given you.  But I have to tell you that from the first time you told me about him (I can still remember EXACTLY where I was standing when you told me the whole story, the few days before he came), I just knew that it was right. Amara, you said today that you knew God would bring to you the family that He had for you, and it could NOT POSSIBLY BE MORE OBVIOUS that this is your family. Who knows if He is done, but for right now, He has given you these three, and there is no doubt.  Like the judge said, life in a family has its UPS and its DOWNS and I know you (like all of us!) will have plenty of each.  But for right now, for tonight, it is really hard to imagine any downs.  It feels like you have lifted us all up with you, and we might never come back down.

Thank you so much. As I sit here and literally sob (thankfully no one is home ;-), thank you.  Thank you for being brave enough to do what very, VERY few people in the world would EVER have done.  Thank you for grabbing this boy, for pulling him so close to you, for wrapping your arms around him, for lavishing your love all over him, for being willing to be his parents now and his friends later, for dreaming of what he will be, for trusting God in all the details that could so easily (and understandably) have led you to say no when you were asked.  I know it's cheesy (but let's face it, so am I), but I love that line "You make me want to be a better man." I would say that applies perfectly here - you make me want to be a better parent, a braver Christian, a more sacrificial lover of people.  You are not showy, you are not flashy, you do not flaunt what you have done (I had to BEG you to let me use your names and include your picture!).  You have quietly and at great sacrifice to yourself literally SHOWERED love on the least of these.  You have shown me, in flesh and blood, what it is that my Savior did for me - rescued me, redeemed me, ransomed me. He took me from the worst place possible and brought me into a place of love, of acceptance, of life forever after.  He gave his life for me, and in many ways you have given, and will continue to give, your life to this boy. Your brave son expressed today in his speech his gratefulness for the knowledge that he will spend forever and ever with God - you put skin and bones on that idea for me today.  Thank you so so so very much for inviting me into your life, and letting us peek with you behind the curtains of heaven this morning.  I love you five oh so very much. And seriously, look at this picture. Who wouldn't love you?????